Burn Permits

“Open burning” is using fire to dispose of piled materials. Open burning is allowed by permit on Bowen Island between October 15 to April 15.

Open burning is different than having a campfire. Campfires are for cooking and warmth and are no larger than 0.5 m in height and 0.5 m in width. 

Types of open burning

Category 2 (Minor clean-up)

  • No larger than 2 m high x 3 m wide
  • Requires a BIM Burning Permit
  • On the day of your burn you must call 604-436-6777 and follow the prompts to find out whether open burning is allowed each day you plan to burn. This information is available daily after 8:30 AM. Only burn when Metro Vancouver’s "Open Burning Advisory" indicates that burning is allowed.   
  • Requires a permit from Metro Vancouver. You can find information about applying for your Metro Vancouver Open Burning Approval on the Metro Vancouver website.
  • Can be stacked by hand
  • Only permitted on private property. No fires are to be located on Municipal property, public roads or road allowances. 
  • No material other than wood, paper or cardboard shall be used to start, assist or enhance the burning. The following material is PROHIBITED; tires, paint, manure, clothing, plastics, special waste, rubber, battery boxes, drywall, tar paper, asphalt, leather, demolition waste, treated lumber, fuel containers, domestic waste, railway ties, biomedical waste, and lubricant containers. 
  • The materials to be burned shall have originated on the property for which the permit is issued. 
  • Every effort should be made to have a hot fire, with emphasis on reducing the output of smoke as much as possible. 
  • The permittee shall be responsible for fires authorized by their permit. 
  • The permittee shall extinguish all fires completely upon suspension or cancellation of this permit, or when instructed to do so by Bowen Island Fire Rescue. 
  • The permittee shall provide at the site during light-up and for actively patrolling and preventing escape of fires authorized by this permit at least one adult equipped with suitable hand tools to effectively safeguard the fire.

APPLY FOR A CATEGORY 2 BURN PERMIT Closed until October 15th

Category 3 (Land clearing or other major burning)

  • Larger than 2 m high x 3 m wide
  • Requires a BIM Burning Permit
  • Requires a permit from Metro Vancouver. You can find information about applying for your Metro Vancouver Open Burning Approval on the Metro Vancouver website.
  • Requires a site visit from the Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chief. Once you have applied for your permit, call (604) 947-9324 to arrange a site visit. 
  • Requires a Provincial burn registration number. You can find information on the Provincial website.
  • On the day of your burn you must call 604-436-6777 and follow the prompts to find out whether open burning is allowed each day you plan to burn. This information is available daily after 8:30 AM. Only burn when Metro Vancouver’s "Open Burning Advisory" indicates that burning is allowed.   
  • On the day of the burn you must call and leave a message on the Bowen Island Fire Rescue non-emergency line at (604) 947-9324.
  • Only permitted on private property. No fires are to be located on Municipal property, public roads or road allowances. 
  • Each permit will be for 72 hours only upon ignition of the burn. 
  • No material other than wood, paper or cardboard shall be used to start, assist or enhance the burning. The following material is PROHIBITED; tires, paint, manure, clothing, plastics, special waste, rubber, battery boxes, drywall, tar paper, asphalt, leather, demolition waste, treated lumber, fuel containers, domestic waste, railway ties, biomedical waste, and lubricant containers. 
  • Every effort should be made to have a hot fire, with emphasis on reducing the output of smoke as much as possible. 
  • The materials to be burned shall have originated on the property for which the permit is issued. 
  • The permittee shall be responsible for fires authorized by their permit. 
  • The permittee shall extinguish all fires completely on or before the expiry date of their permit; or shall extinguish them upon suspension or cancellation of this permit, or when instructed to do so by Bowen Island Fire Rescue.
  • The permittee shall provide at the site during light-up and for actively patrolling and preventing escape of fires authorized by this permit at least one adult equipped with suitable hand tools to effectively safeguard the fires or equipment and an equipment operator. The required tools and equipment are at the discretion of the Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chief.

APPLY FOR A CATEGORY 3 BURN PERMIT Closed until October 15th

Fees

 Category 2 Burning Permit  No Cost
 Category 3 Burning Permit  $50.00

Online payment is accepted via e-transfer to bim@bimbc.ca. We accept cash, cheque or debit at Municipal Hall. Sorry, we do not accept credit cards.

Last Updated on 2022-07-14 at 11:55 AM